LIHUE — Willie Sibayan of Kuhio Motors joked that he wanted to work next Sunday.
But a sign emblazoned with National Football League logos posted on the door advises Kuhio Motors customers that the auto dealership will be closed for Super Bowl Sunday.
Ryan Mackey, vice president for Kuhio Motors, said the business is normally open for business on Sundays, but will close on Feb. 5.
“I checked the sales history for the past five years,” Mackey said. “We don’t sell cars on NFL Super Bowl Sundays. People are more concerned about buying beer and poke. We’ll close on that Sunday to create problems for when we come to work Monday.”
Meanwhile, national company Kraft-Heinz will give its salaried employees the day off on the Monday after the Super Bowl.
According to a recent report from The Associated Press, the food-producing giant has launched a tongue-in-cheek campaign to make the day, named “Smunday,” a national holiday.
Kraft-Heinz has started a Change.org online petition and launched a website, www.smunday.org. If 100,000 signatures are collected, the company will send the petition to Congress with hopes of making this dream become reality.
The petition claims that more than 16 million people call in sick or otherwise miss work every year on the day after the Super Bowl.
Specialty stores selling poke, such as Konohiki Seafoods in Hanamaulu and Fish Express in Lihue, said they will be open Sunday.
“We’re planning on closing earlier than our 3 p.m.,” said Warren Racca of Konohiki.
“We’re pretty steady on Super Bowl day, especially after 10 a.m. People are coming in to pick up their orders — usually poke platters — and the others who don’t have orders just settle for what’s there. Last year, we closed early because everybody wants to watch the game.”
Alan Yamamoto of Fish Express said the take-out eatery will be open for game day.
“Normally, we’re closed on Sundays,” he said. “Our hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and closed on Sunday. But on special occasions such as this, we will open to accommodate customers. The Super Bowl is one of those occasions.”
